 "J-K elections: Mehbooba Mufti won't contest polls, calls CM post powerless | News")
Srinagar: PDP President Mehbooba Mufti addresses a press conference after four Army personnel were killed in an encounter with terrorists in J&K’s Doda, at party headquarters, in Srinagar, Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (Photo: PTI)
Referring to her political rival National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, Mufti said that he said that he would need to personally be at the door of the lieutenant governor even for the transfer of a peon.
Her remarks were a reference to the administrative powers of the LG in Jammu-Kashmir, which the Opposition claimed would leave the elected legislative Assembly with no real authority.
In mid-July, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government gave the J-K LG, power for making decisions on matters related to police and All India Service (AIS) officers. Abdullah had criticised the move in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying “People of J&K deserve better than powerless, rubber stamp CM who will have to beg the LG to get his/ her peon appointed.”
Notably, Abdullah had himself vowed not to contest the elections until the statehood status of Jammu and Kashmir was restored. The erstwhile state had been turned into a UT in 2019 after the elimination of Article 370 by the Centre.
However, last week the National Conference named Abdullah and 31 other candidates for the elections, scheduled from September 18 to October 3. Abdullah will contest the polls from Ganderbal seat.
The Jammu-Kashmir Assembly polls will be held parallel to the elections in Haryana, with counting for both states scheduled on October 4.
First Published: Aug 28 2024 | 4:43 PM IST
